Getting married is expensive. With the average American wedding clocking in at a hefty $32,641, for many newlyweds, the only light at the end of the financial tunnel comes from the pile of wedding gifts purchased off their carefully-selected registry.

So if you're newly engaged, why not boost those rewards by registering at a store that offers registry freebies? We rounded up our ten favorite retailers that offer bonus gifts for couples who register with them. While you won't be eligible to receive most of these gifts until certain items on your registry have been fulfilled, some stores offer freebies just for registration!

Bed Bath & Beyond offers a wide range of free registry gifts – the most of any store on this list – which can be redeemed upon completion by filling out a gift vendor redemption form and sending it to the vendor along with a copy of your registry. To give you an idea of what you can expect to find, here are some of our favorite deals from the 2016-2017 Freebook:

Register for and receive $500 worth of Le Creuset products and you are eligible to receive a Complimentary limited edition stoneware mini cocotte gift set. Register for and receive $1000 worth of Le Creuset products and you are eligible to receive the mini cocotte gift set and a toughened nonstick braiser with lid.

Get a $50 Nespresso club credit when your guests complete a purchase of a Nespresso machine at $199 or more.

Free universal two-piece Entertainment set with completion of a Oneida flatware registry of at least 10 place settings or a purchase of $350 in Oneida products.

Free 4x6 classic frame with purchase of $500 in Reed and Barton flatware.

Free '101 Blender Drinks' recipe book with purchase of a Vitamix blender.

Step up your tea game with the free stainless steel tea kettle you'll get when your guests purchase $400 or more in Calphalon products off your Kohl's registry!

In addition to getting 15% off unfulfilled registry items for up to three months after your wedding and earning 10% rewards on gifts purchased off your registry, couples who register at Kohls can enjoy:

Free stainless steel two-quart tea kettle with registry of $400 or more in qualifying Calphalon products.

Register for and receive $500 worth of Le Creuset products and you are eligible to receive a Complimentary limited edition stoneware mini cocotte gift set. Register for and receive $1000 worth of Le Creuset products and you are eligible to receive the mini cocotte gift set and a stainless steel shallow casserole with lid.

I think it's time for an intervention. Put down the fancy mascara your aunt got you for Christmas 2007. Take your head off the pillow you've been sleeping with since childhood. I know you love these things, but your relationship with them is no longer healthy. It's time to let go.

We're all guilty of holding onto stuff like this for way longer than we should. And it's easy to understand why! Unlike food, household items don't typically come with an expiration date, so it can be difficult to know just how often to replace these things. We put together a guide for how often you should replace some of the most commonly overused items, and some of them may surprise you.

Toothbrushes: every 3-4 months.

You might think this recommendation is based on the fact that old toothbrushes are germy, but according to the American Dental Association, this is more about the state of your bristles than anything else. Your toothbrush's cleaning powers become significantly less effective as the bristles become worn down and flat, so brushing with an old toothbrush means a lot more plaque will be left on your teeth and gums.

You should also replace your toothbrush after you (or anyone who shares a toothbrush cup with you) has a cold, flu, mouth infection or sore throat, unless you feel like getting sick all over again. Germs and viruses can hide out in your toothbrushes bristles whether they're brand new or starting to lie flat, and can reinfect you even after you think you're totally cured.

Changing your oil: BEFORE the oil change light comes on.

Mechanics used to recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles, but advances in engineering have caused that number to skyrocket in the past few years. The problem is, the new standards are different for every car. Luckily, you don't have to guess what the right number is for your car, because it's listed in the owner's manual. So look that up, keep it in mind, and switch out your oil well before you reach it. According to CARFAX, one of the worst things you can do is rely on that low oil light to remind you to make the change:

"You shouldn’t see that light unless your oil level is low. So you don’t want to see it. Whatever amount of oil you do have left almost certainly has lost its ability to function properly."

Pillows: every 1-3 years (and/or wash them regularly).

This is one you might not think about, but if you want to freak yourself out, do a quick Google search for "dust mites in pillows," I'll wait. Creepy, right? Those little buggers are probably basking in the paradise of your pillow at this very moment, and even though you can't see them, they could be causing some allergic reactions that make you sniffy or sluggish in the morning.

I've personally had my pillows for about three years, and when I read a recent Daily Mail article that claimed I needed to replace my pillows every six months I was more than a little grossed out. However, the Daily Mail was probably overreacting, because the author of that article doesn't seem to realize that washing machines are a thing. If you wash your pillows regularly (every 3-6 months), you don't need to buy a brand new set every year unless your allergies are really getting in the way of your everyday life. According to Robert Oxeman, the director of the Sleep to Live Institute who was asked about this issue in a September 2015 Huffington Post article, "Down-alternative pillows can go in the washing machine, while down feather pillows should be dry cleaned. Thirty minutes on low in the dryer can help clear out some of the clutter from your pillows between cleanings."

Makeup: depends on the product.

I'm a makeup hoarder so I wasn't pleased to learn that half my collection was overdue for a swap out. Old makeup can contain bacteria that can cause breakouts, infections and allergic reactions. Here's how often to replace the most common items in your makeup bag:

Mascara – Replace every 3 months.

Eyeliner – Replace every 2 years.

Foundation – Replace every 6 months to 1 year.

Powders/Blush – Replace every 1 to 2 years.

Lipstick – Replace every two years.

Bras: every 1-2 years.

This is all dependent on how well you take care of them, but in general you should replace a bra if it's lost its shape, elasticity, gotten too big or small, or has a few pesky underwires poking out of it – I think we all know that pain. However if you hand wash your bras, keep them out of the dryer, store them carefully and have a large collection that you rotate in and out, you can extend their life by quite a bit.

Running Shoes: every 300-500 miles.

In general, running is great for your health. But running with worn down shoes can cause arch issues and increase your risk of injury, which are definitely not health benefits.

If you use a fitness tracking app to route your runs, it should be easy to figure out when you've hit 300 miles. Otherwise, make sure to regularly inspect your shoes for signs of wear and tear. If the soles are worn down beyond recognition, and the midsole feels tough instead of springy when you push your thumb into it, it's probably time for a new pair.

Spices: every 1-4 years.

Spices can sit in the back of your cabinet for years without being so much as looked at, but while you might think they're everlasting, they do need to be replaced from time to time. According to a blog post on the aptly-named Spices Inc, if you store spices correctly (in airtight containers in a dark, cool place), this is how long you should expect them to last:

Whole spices,dried herbs, leaves and flowers – 1 to 2 years.

Seeds – 2 to 3 years.

Whole roots – 3 years.

Ground spices and herb leaves –1 year.

Ground roots –2 years.

Smoke Alarm Batteries: every year.

This one hits home for me, as my cousin and her new husband lost their house and all their belongings (including ALL their wedding presents) to a huge house fire a few years ago. Their smoke alarm didn't go off because their landlord had neglected to replace the batteries for years, and if they didn't wake up to the sound of windows breaking, they would have probably lost their lives as a result of this negligence.

If you rent, it's your landlord's responsibility to make sure your smoke detectors are in good, working order. But even so, you should make it a point to check your alarm's batteries and test them every few months just in case. It might be annoying, but your life is worth it. Seriously.

What else do you think is important to replace regularly? Let us know in the comments below!

March is traditionally a big travel month- with spring break and ski season in full swing throughout the month. Where are the best places to go for a cheap getaway? Here are four suggestions we think are amazing options for your March 2018 vacation!

1. Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of our favorite getaways- we've even shown readers how to get there for $1. With hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms, and hundreds of flights a day from all points in the US (and the world), we recommend Sin City for a cheap weekend getaway. Southwest Vacations is a great choice for the city, since the airline offers almost half (!) of the flights into Las Vegas airport. There's currently a sale going on for $100 off vacation packages until 2/18, furthering your savings.

2. Visit the Grand Canyon and Ski in the Same Trip

Colorado ski vacations can get expensive, especially if you haven't already gotten your hotel rooms booked. While this season's snow hasn't been as great as years past, you can still hit the slopes for cheap this ski season. Flagstaff, Arizona's Snowbowl offers discounted lift tickets of $35-$64 on the weekends if you buy 48 hours in advance. Flagstaff is about 1 1/2 hours from the Grand Canyon, so you can do both in the same weekend! Couple that with cheap flights into Phoenix (a two-hour drive), and you have yourself an awesome weekend away!

3. Washington, D.C. (For the Cherry Blossoms)

Washington, D.C. is full of amazing American history and sights. The best part about traveling in March? The famed gifts from Japan, the city's cherry trees, begin to bloom. Washington, D.C. can be a cheap getaway because most of the major sites, including National Park Service sites and the Smithsonian Museums, are free. While deals can be found into D.C.'s local airports (DCA and IAD), Baltimore consistently has better deals (it's served by Frontier, Spirit, and Southwest), and is only an hour train ride away.

4. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Cancun is for the college crowd, and Tulum for the jet-setters, but a good value destination is Playa del Carmen, located in between the two cities. While it has a special place in my heart, as I got married there last year, it truly is a bargain compared to other cities nearby. For one, it still has a tourist infrastructure, while not being overly-commercialized like Cancun, for a price that's below what Tulum is charging. Vacation packages can also be a great deal here- check out Southwest Vacations for the latest deals.

Everyone needs to eat, and unless you have unlimited money to shell out at restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, groceries are an unavoidable weekly expense. For gourmands and families alike, grocery bills can add up fast. Luckily, there are a number of credit cards available to you that get you up to 6% cash back at grocery stores.

To help you figure out which one is right for you, we put together a list of some of our credit card top picks for groceries for 2018. For a more generalized roundup of great credit card deals, see our article on the Top Credit Cards of 2018.

Best Credit Cards for Groceries 2018

Click on a credit card below to read more about how you can best use them for grocery store purchases.

5% Cash Back
(one quarter per year)

2% Cash Back
(up to $2,500 per quarter)

2% Cash Back
on Every Purchase

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Our absolute first pick of credit cards for grocery expenses is the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express. Bottom line, the card gives you 6% cash back on the first $6,000 at supermarkets per year (then it goes back down to 1%), making it the strongest card on the market for this category. Plus, there's a sign-up bonus of $150 back if you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months of card membership. So, you could potentially get $210 on your first $1,000 in groceries back if you meet the spend requirement at grocery stores.

The card also features 3% cash back on gas and department stores, and 1% cash back on everything else. Keep in mind, there is a $95 annual fee, so you would have to spend $1583.33 per year at grocery stores before you'd break even (not counting the first year's sign up bonus). If you're not keen on the annual fee, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% cash back on up to $6,000 in supermarket purchases, but does not have a sign-up bonus.

It's also important to note that American Express does not consider Walmart, Target, Costco or Amazon as supermarkets, so if you do the bulk of your grocery shopping at one of those stores, this might not be the card for you.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Highlights

6% cash back at supermarkets (up to the first $6,000, after that, 1%)

$150 cash back on the first $1,000 in purchases in the first three months after account opening

3% cash back on gas and department stores, 1% cash back on everything else.

Chase Freedom Card

The Chase Freedom Card is a good pick for a grocery store credit card because it has no annual fee, and for one quarter every year (April to June), it offers 5% cash back on the first $1,500 in combined purchases at grocery stores. While it's not a year-round discount like the Blue Cash Preferred Card, other quarters offer strong 5% bonuses as well, like gas stations and local commuter transportation in Quarter 1 of 2018. Plus, there's a $150 sign-up bonus when you spend $500 on the card in the first three months of card membership.

Keep in mind, Chase does have another Freedom card, the Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ Card, that offers a strict 1.5% cash back on every purchase (no rotating categories). While the bonus might not be as high during the grocery store bonus quarter, there's no cap to the cash back that you receive with the Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ Card (and it offers the same sign-up bonus of $150 after $500 in spend, with no annual fee). These rewards can also be transferred to your Ultimate Rewards account for maximizing your bonus. For some, this hassle-free card may be a better pick.

Chase Freedom Card Highlights

5% cash back at a rotating list of categories each quarter

$150 cash back on the first $500 in purchases in the first three months after account opening

No annual fee

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card offers a "3, 2, 1" cash back rewards system that's easy to remember. You receive 3% cash back on gas purchases, 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on everything else, up to $2,500 in combined purchases per quarter. That means up to $200 back each year on groceries, if you spend the entire $10,000 limit each year at your preferred grocery store. Plus, there's an easy-to-hit sign-up bonus of $150 if you spend $500 in the first 90 days of card membership.

If you are a Bank of America banking or Preferred Rewards client, you can stretch these rewards even further. If you have a checking or savings account, you can transfer your cash back to your bank account for a 10% bonus on cash back. If you maxed out your grocery store bonus, that's $220 each year! If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards client, having between $25,000-$100,000 in combined balances between Bank of America banking and/or Merrill Edge and Merrill Lynch investment accounts, you can increase that cash back to $350 per year, or 3.5% cash back. Learn more about Preferred Rewards in our detailed breakdown of the program.

BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card Highlights

3% cash back on gas, 2% cash back on grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

$150 cash back after $500 in purchases in the first 90 days after account opening

10% cash back bonus for being a checking/savings customer, up to 75% bonus if a Preferred Rewards customer.

No annual fee.

Citi Double Cash Card

While this is not a specifically "grocery store" card, the Citi Double Cash Card does offer 1% cash back on every purchase, and 1% cash back once you pay your bill, with no annual fee. Essentially, this is 2% cash back on every purchase for responsible spenders. However, unlike other no-fee cards mentioned in this post, there is no sign-up bonus to be had here.

Citi Double Cash Card Highlights

1% cash back on every purchase, and 1% cash back once you pay your bill.

No annual fee

Summary: Best Credit Cards for Grocery Shopping

What's behind our selection methodology?

We pride ourselves on editorial independence at Brad's Deals, and we make sure to give our honest and researched recommendations, regardless of compensation from card issuers. The recommendations above are either based on my own personal experience with these cards, or based on the hundreds of discussions we've had with readers on what they need out of a grocery store credit card.

It's a tale as old as online shopping: no matter how much merch you have in your cart, when it comes time to check out, even a small shipping charge can be a dealbreaker. It might seem crazy to give up on a $30 order just because you don't feel like paying $9.99 to get it delivered to your house, but these days, free shipping feels like it should be a given.

A lot of our favorite online stores offer free shipping with no minimums year-round, and even more step up to the plate during the holidays. But most online retailers still charge for shipping, because sadly, shipping still costs money.

If frequent shipping shock stops you from making otherwise smart online purchases, we know just how you feel. And because we spend all day, every day scouring the web for the best possible deals, we know a few things you might not. Here are our eight favorite hacks for avoiding shipping charges at your favorite online stores.

Add a cheap beauty item to your cart instead of paying for shipping at Macy's and Bon Ton.

Macy's free shipping threshold starts at $99, and if the items in your shopping cart come out under that, you're looking at a hefty $10.95 shipping charge that might make you rethink placing that order. Luckily, there's an easy way around this charge, even if you're only buying an $8 pair of leggings. Macy's offers free shipping for all beauty purchases, so add a cheap beauty item to your cart, like one of these $3 beauty masks, and you'll automatically get free shipping for your entire order at checkout. Sure, you have to pay $3 for the mask, but it's better than $10.95, and you get clean pores!

The same tactic works at Bon-Ton, which has a free shipping threshold of $75, and a standard shipping charge of $9.95. If you're looking to buy something at Bon-Ton for less than $75 and don't want to shell out an extra $10 for shipping, throw a cheap beauty item in your cart (we like this travel size Vitabath Coconut Creme Body Wash for $3) and enter code BEAUTY at checkout for free shipping AND the chance to pick three free beauty samples to add to your order.

Opt for 'Ship to Store' over delivery.

Apple is one of many retailers which allows you to place an order online and pick it up for no charge in-store.

If you live near a brick-and-mortar location of your favorite store, you may be able to save on shipping by opting for in-store delivery. Many major retailers either offer totally free ship-to-store delivery, or a lower free shipping threshold on in-store pickup orders. Another major perk of picking up your order in-store? Depending on availability, you might be able to go pick up your item right away, or even try it on before you make the final payment. Here are a few stores with free (or cheap) in-store pickup options:

Use Alexa to avoid Amazon's $25 add-on minimum.

Amazon has many items that are available for purchase only if your total order is more than $25. But if you have Alexa, Amazon's answer to Siri, who David reviewed last month, you can get around that minimum and buy those items on their own. This article from How to Geek explains it step-by-step, but basically you have to:

Set up voice purchasing on your smartphone.

Add a payment method to voice-ordered purchases.

Ask Alexa to order the item you want.

And that's it!

Use your junk address and sign up for newsletters.

These days, most retail sites have popup boxes that implore you to sign up for their newsletter before you access their site. While most of us mindlessly click out of these and go right to shopping, doing so can mean missing out on percent off discounts and free shipping offers. Many merchants, like H&M, Guess, T.J. Maxx and Levi's will send you a one-time code for free shipping when you sign up for their newsletters. If you happen to have a bunch of junk email addresses from junior high lying around (I'm talking to you, artist formally known as k3wLGaL88@aol.com), use a different one every time you order to hack life-long free shipping, and keep your current inbox junk free.

Download the merchant's app and save.

Similar to newsletter signups, downloading a store's mobile app can get you free shipping. Kohl's for example, offers free shipping for app shoppers, as does Zappos. You can always delete and re-download every time you want to shop if your smartphone is running low on space.

Join (free!) loyalty clubs or sign up for free membership trials.

Here's a secret our deal editors know that you might not: lots of merchants have free loyalty clubs that offer free shipping as a membership perk. Even if the loyalty club isn't free (think Amazon Prime), pretty much all of them have some kind of free trial period where you can get all the perks of membership at no additional cost -- just make sure you cancel before the trial period is over (unless you're trying out Amazon Prime, in which case I HIGHLY recommend shelling out for the membership fee because I'm obsessed with my membership). Here are just a few of the loyalty clubs our editors called out:

Bloomingdale's Loyallist Program – Totally FREE! Loyallists get free shipping, rewards points back for every dollar spent, and $25 Reward Card for every 5,000 points.

Sears/Kmart Shop Your Way Program – Free 90-day trial and $39/year after that. Shop Your Way members get free shipping with no minimums on every order from Sears or Kmart.

Rue La La – For 30 days after your first order, you can enjoy free shipping on any items. They also offer free shipping for $50/year periodically so keep an eye out if you're a big fan.

1-800-Flowers Celebrations Passport – Free 30-day trial and $30/year after that. Editor Lindsay Weekes says: "This pays for free shipping all year, and it works for all their sister sites (think 1-800-Baskets, Harry & David, etc) too. As flowers are at least $15 to ship, if you order two or more times a year, it pays for itself. If you don't want to pay, sign up for the trial before Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, your anniversary or whatever occasion where flowers are necessary, and skip shipping all together."

Use this gift card hack at Kohl's.

Don't feel like spending $75 to get free shipping at Kohl's? Buy yourself a gift card instead. Brad's Deals editor Casey Runyan says, "As Kohl's gift cards count towards the $75 free shipping threshold, you can buy something for $25, add on a $50 gift card, use the gift card for a later purchase, and essentially pay nothing for shipping."

Check with us for exclusive codes.

When it comes to coupon codes for free shipping, we've always got the goods. We partner with top merchants all the time to get our readers exclusive deals on shipping. Right now, you can use code BRADFREE to get free shipping at Bon-Ton, or head over to Sportsman's Guide and enter BRADSHIP at checkout to enjoy free shipping and 10 percent off your first order.

Do you have a special way to hack free shipping? Let us know your tricks in the comments!

Oh say can you see, in malls and online, the star-spangled signs for Presidents' Day sales? Most major retailers would have you believe that the sales this weekend are too big to miss, but that's not entirely true.

We hate to blow the whistle on the whole thing, but here at Brad's Deals we track prices on popular items all year long, and we know that the best deals don't necessarily coincide with this holiday weekend. Still, there are certainly sites worth visiting and items to look for over the next few days. Here's what our editors think you should buy at this year's Presidents' Day Sales:

Furniture

We tend to see some of the lowest prices on furniture and mattresses this weekend, both in-store and online, and many retailers also offer free delivery. Look for the best deals at stores like Kohl's, Target, Home Depot, and Best Choice Products.

Appliances

Prices on appliances will be lower this weekend than they have been in recent months, but they aren't the lowest we'll see all year. We've seen retailers jack up the list price on their appliances in order to advertise deeper discounts, so be mindful of the final price. That being said, Sears has a great appliance sale happening this weekend.

Winter Clearance Apparel

Make no mistake, winter isn't over yet. Many brands are selling their 2016 winter items at a steep discount this weekend, so stock up while the weather's still nice so you don't freeze once the snow comes back.

Unless you really luck out, you're not likely to find the styles you want at a lower price than they are right now, so go ahead and fill in the gaps in your Winter wardrobe – you have our permission.

Plenty of big name brands from Tory Burch to Kate Spade will be slashing prices. Those lucky enough to catch flash sales can also score some serious savings, so keep your eyes peeled!

Rest assured, this weekend is not the only time you'll see prices this low, and you'll likely see similar sales even before Black Friday. President's Day is promoted as a shopping holiday, and all the major retailers jump on board, so you'll see a larger number of sales happening at once, but they aren't necessarily the best sales those stores will offer this year.

Keep an eye out for the items we mentioned, especially if there's something you need right away. And remember, holiday weekend or not, we're still looking for the best deals we can find on these items, so check Brad's Deals throughout the year. We'll let you know when we find a spectacular sale that you shouldn't miss.

Will you be shopping this year's Presidents' Day sales? Let us know in the comments!

We may have said "Hasta la vista, baby" to the late fees, overpriced rentals, and the inconvenience of video stores, but most of us are still learning how to find our way through the ever-evolving world of online video streaming.

With the launch of HBO Now, and the success of streaming series like Making a Murderer, Orange is the New Black, Transparent and Stranger Things, the video-streaming market is suddenly flooded with options for movie and TV lovers alike. You might be wondering, "Which service is right for me?" Or more importantly, "Which service keeps the most cash in my pocket?"

At Brad's Deals, we're all about saving you money, so we compiled a guide of the top nine movie streaming and rental services to help make this decision a little easier for you and your wallet. We've broken it down into three sections: apps (Like Netflix, Hulu etc), devices (like the Roku, Apple TV etc), and other.

Our favorite streaming apps.

Streaming apps are essentially databases filled with streamable content, which you can download to and access from your streaming device. Most streaming devices allow you to download multiple apps, which we will cover in the streaming device section. For now, let's dive into the apps themselves: how much they cost, what kind of content they host, and which is right for you.

Pros: Prime membership comes with unlimited instant video streaming, unlimited FREE two-day shipping on every order, unlimited ad-free Prime Music access, photo storage, early access to deals and sales and more. Amazon Instant Video can be streamed on a variety of Smart TVs and Blu-ray players as well as on the PlayStation 3, the Playstation 4, the Xbox 360, the Xbox One, the Wii, the Wii U, the iPhone, the iPad, Kindle Fire tablets, Roku devices, Fire TV and some Android phones. Plus you can watch the Golden Globe-winning new show "Transparent," and whatever they come out with next!

Cons: In my opinion, Amazon Prime Instant Video's website interface is a little bit confusing and harder to use than that of its main competitor, Netflix, and Netflix's selection of TV shows and movies is slightly better as well.

Best suited for: Amazon shoppers. If you love to shop on Amazon, paying the $99 a year for unlimited free shipping is majorly worth it! Plus, if you are a movie lover, and already have a device to stream videos on, this service is perfect for you.

Best suited for: The TV lover. Hulu Plus features full seasons of a variety of TV shows for a small price. If you love keeping up with the newest episodes of your favorite TV programs, Hulu Plus is a great option for you.

Pros: Netflix has the by far largest selection of movies and TV shows, including full seasons of cable programs that you will not find on Hulu Plus. It also available on almost every kind of streaming device. Like, seriously, the list of Netflix-compatible devices is so long that I don't really have room to list them all here, but luckily there's an entire Wikipedia page devoted to the subject, so if you're curious, give that a look.

Cons: New releases are delayed by up to a month, and it doesn't have new episodes of TV shows like Hulu does.

Price: $2.99-$5.99 for a 2-day rental, and movies are also available to purchase.

Pros: No contract, no monthly subscription, and no late fees. Vudu also features the biggest selection of HD movies and TV shows. Even more convenient, you can set up your Vudu account with your Walmart account. Vudu streams instantly on:

Pros: HBO is arguably the most important television network in history, and its impressive lineup of decades worth of hit shows will absolutely have something for everyone. Between classics like Sex and the City, The Sopranos, True Blood and The Wire, and hot new shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld and Veep, an HBO Now subscription will help you keep up with the TV snobs who gather at the water cooler every morning. HBO Now is available on most streaming devices.

Cons: Their movie selection is laughable.

Bonus: 1 month free trial!

Best suited for: The "Golden Age of TV" obsessive. If you want access to all the best, highest-budget shows of the past 20 years (and today!), it doesn't get much better than HBO.

Pros: No ads, and a giant selection of anime and live-action Asian TV, and even has a few Manga titles you can read online. It's got both subtitle and dubbed options, and it's an American anime fan's dream come true. Crunchyroll is available on most streaming devices.

Cons: Reviewers have commented on the clumsy interface when you use it on a laptop or mobile device. It should also go without saying that if you're not into anime, you probably won't find much value in this service.

Pros: Sling is essentially a customizable cable replacement. With plans starting at $20/month, you can get access to networks like Comedy Central. AMC, HGTV, Cartoon Network, Disney, ESPN, TBS, Travel, VICELAND and much more... and that's just at the entry level price. It also lets you customize based on country and language, so if you're a British expat living in the U.S., you can still watch all your favorite BBC programs – same goes for some Indian channels, French channels, Chinese channels and many other international networks. Sling TV is available on most streaming devices.

Cons: This can get kind of expensive if you need all the sports extras, HBO access, Cinemax, etc. At some point, you have to ask yourself whether you just want to buy an old-school cable package

Pros: Did we mention it's free?! Crackle has a rotating selection of interesting movies and classic old TV shows to choose from. These are mostly older options, but there are some top-quality films available, which make those "OMG I FORGOT ABOUT THIS MOVIE!" moments pretty frequent.

Cons: No new releases, lots of annoying commercials, and a lot of random sludge to trudge through as you search for something watchable.

Bonus: It's free, guys!

Best suited for: The cheapskate. If you don't care too much about keeping up with the latest movies and shows, but still want a seemingly endless variety of streamable content at your fingertips, Crackle is a no-brainer.

For the record, there are LOTS of other streaming sites out there, most of which we didn't cover here. To read more about different streaming app options, check out this related article.

Our favorite streaming devices.

Streaming devices allow you to access the apps we listed above (and many more) from your television. For the purposes of this article, we've excluded gaming systems, built-in Smart TV systems and anything else that was built to serve a purpose other than video streaming. The devices we've included here were specifically designed for video streaming.

Pros: The Apple TV console streams Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus, YouTube, live MLB games, and includes NBA scores and highlights. You can also buy or rent movies and TV shows from the Apple Store, and this console also can play movies, TV shows, and music from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. Lots of TV stations – like PBS – have apps that let you stream their content on the Apple TV as well. If you have an iPad, iPod or iPhone, you can set them up to act as extra remotes for this device.

Cons: You'll probably want to pay for a streaming service like Netflix, Hulu Plus or HBO Now to avoid constantly renting movies from the Apple Store. The Apple TV is also a bit pricey compared with similar devices.

Best suited for: Apple Aficionados. Loyalists to the Apple brand will greatly appreciate the ease and sleekness of this device.

Pros: Google Chromecast is small, cheap, easy to install, and comes fully loaded with Pandora, YouTube, ESPN, Rdio, Crackle, Netflix, MLB.tv, Hulu Plus, HBO GO, Google Play, Showtime and thousands more downloadable apps. It's got pretty much everything an Apple TV's got, and the newer models are more than half the price. You can also use it as a screen sharing device for your Android smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Cons: There's noaccess to your iTunes library or Amazon Instant Video, and you need to subscribe to a streaming service to make it worth it. Also no DVD by mail service.

Pros: Roku devices stream Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Instant Video, and also features 2,000+ streaming TV channels and 200,000+ movies and TV episodes. It's also more than half the price of the Apple TV if you get one of the older generations.

Cons: No DVD by mail service.

Best suited for: The Video Streamer. If you already have a video rental/streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Instant Video, but you don't have a way to stream videos on your TV yet, the Roku perfect for you. If you aren't ready to pull the trigger on a Blu-ray player, the Roku is certainly a device to consider.

Pros: Supports 4K and features Alexa-enabled voice commands. If you want to feel like you're truly living in the future, simply say "Alexa, play game of Thrones" and watch as GOT starts immediately playing. The Amazon Fire also partners with Sling TV so you can customize cable channels and sports networks to your liking.

Cons: No way to pair up Apple playlists, but there are so many other options for music apps (think Pandora, Spotify etc) that shouldn't be a problem for most people.

Best suited for: The futurist. Being able to verbally ask my TV to play me something is unreal. I want to go to there!

Other ways to watch movies!

Sure, we're living in the digital age. But that doesn't mean the ONLY way to watch a movie these days is to stream it. There are still other ways to get snuggly on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. Here are two of our favorites.

Price: $1.50/night per DVD; $2/night per Blu-ray disc; $1-3/night per PS3, Xbox 360, or Wii game

Pros: Cheap prices, plenty of Redbox locations, and an app to reserve your movie pick before you even arrive at the Redbox kiosk make this movie rental service the most convenient and economical. Plus, Redbox features games for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii consoles, so you can test out a new game without buying it first.

Cons: New movie releases often do not arrive to a Redbox for a few weeks after its initial release date. Plus, Redbox has not yet released TV show titles for rent. Perhaps most importantly, you have to actually leave your house to pick up a movie, which is pretty upsetting if it's winter.

Bonus: Join Redbox Play Pass for a free movie night after every 10 rentals. Also sign up for text and email alerts for coupon codes for free rentals!

Best suited for: The casual movie watcher and gamer. Redbox offers DVDs, Blu-ray, and games on the cheap. If you are not into instant streaming, but occasionally rent movies or games, this rental service is definitely for you.

Pros: You can do more than just take out books with a library card. Most public and university libraries also have a wide selection of DVDs, video games and Blu-ray movies available to rent at no charge. For free! You can also rent audio books and CDs! Yay!

Cons: You'll never really know what you're going to get. Depending on the library and the time you go, there's always going to be a random assortment of movies to to choose from, and you'll be hard-pressed to find any new releases anywhere on those shelves.

Bonus: Did I mention this is FREE??

Best suited for: The old-fashioned individual who misses the thrill of browsing for movies at Blockbuster (RIP), and doesn't mind digging through an messy array of DVDs to find a cool flick to watch.

When it comes to choosing a movie streaming or rental service, we recommend that customers consider about how much they plan on using the service, and what devices you already own that can enable streaming on your TV (such as Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 4, Blu-ray player, or Xbox One). As far as cost is concerned, the Google Chromecast or Roku is probably the best bargain if you don't already have a way to stream movies directly on your TV.

If you plan on streaming movies and TV shows 4-7 days a week and want a wide variety of titles, Netflix is our choice for you. If you want to keep on top of the latest TV and don't care much for movies, pick Hulu. Amazon Prime is a little pricier at $99/year (one year of both Netflix and Hulu amounts to a little under $96/year), but they've got a growing selection of movies, free (!!!) 2-day shipping, and a wide variety of other services to keep you occupied. If you are looking to simply unwind with on a Friday night with a movie, head to the library or your nearest Redbox.

Deciding on a rental and streaming service for you and your family should be fun, so take your time, and enjoy the show!

Conventional wisdom would have you believe that expensive = quality. This is sometimes true, but there are notable exceptions to this rule, exceptions which can save you some serious cash. Here are our eight favorite budget brands that work just as well (or better!) than their higher-end counterparts.

These products and brands are unsung heroes in their respective categories. They deserve some kudos for not only being astronomically more affordable than their near-identical counterparts, but for actually working, and working well.

Ozark Trail Camping Gear

Ozark Trial, the underdog camping brand brought to you by the overdog Walmart, is steadily earning its name as an outdoor force to be reckoned with. Career internet deal sniffers like myself have, on more than one occasion, featured their well-reviewed and exceedingly cheap tents, coolers and tumblers as deals on our site.

To show you just how much you can save when you shop Ozark Trail, let's compare their prices with YETI's. The YETI Cooler, for example, is one of the more well-known camping coolers. But at $380 for the YETI Tundra 50 Cooler, budget shoppers may have to look elsewhere for something to cool their grub. Alternatively, the Ozark Trail 52-Quart Cooler is $127. While the Ozark Trail version has a SLIGHTLY lower review score (4.9 vs 4.1), you have to ask yourself whether a 0.8 difference in score is worth $253. We're going to say no.

One of Walmart’s most popular camping sets, this 22-Piece Camping Combo Set, is always available for the bargain price of $129, and more than 100 customers rate it 4.3 out of 5 stars. As one happy reviewer says, “Instead of buying all the gear separately (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, pillows, chairs, lantern, bags), this set had everything I needed to set up a nice and comfy campsite … Overall I would recommend this to anyone looking for a convenient, all-in-one camp set without shelling out a load of money.”

Kirkland Shearling Boots

Never underestimate the strength and across-the-board quality of Costco’s Kirkland brand. No matter what you're looking for, be it luggage, groceries, pet food, cookware or tequila, Kirkland probably has you covered.

Take the example of Kirkland Shearling Boots. Almost identical to UGGs, Kirkland Shearling Boots use real shearling and real sheepskin. Reading reviews on Amazon and across the web, the prevailing impression is that most buyers regret not having bought the $30 Kirkland UGG dupes sooner.

the web in general, you get the impression that some buyers have regret for not finding $30 Kirkland Boots sooner than $100 Classic UGGs.

One reviewer encapsulates the pleasant shock of Kirkland Shearling Boots: “I’m positively surprised how good the quality of these fully sheepskin boots are. They are beautiful, soft, lightweight, warm and so comfy.” They go for about $20 to $40 on Amazon depending on the style.

HDX Basic Toolkits

Maybe you’re shipping your kid off to college and you don’t want to leave them hard up for tools when their dorm desk collapses under the weight of all those expensive textbooks. Or maybe you're a home improvement dummy who can't tell a socket wrench from his elbow. The right answer for either scenario? A cheap basic toolkit that can stand the test of time.

Right now, the consensus is that the HDX Homeowner’s 76-Piece Tool Kit is the gold standard for starter toolkits, and guess what? They're only $20 a pop. Even hardened tool experts voice their praise for this entry-level set. As one Home Depot shopper puts it: “Nice feel, nothing has broken or caused issues in over a year. Very impressed for around-the-house jobs. I am a professional IT in the Medical Equipment Repair business. Most HDX tools have no issues working on that type of equipment from what I’ve experienced. Good buy!” More than 135 out of 150 reviewers recommend it to a friend.

New York Times Company, Sweethome Reviews, rated it as the best toolkit for its value. It has a hammer, a tape measure, a screwdriver, a utility knife, and a literal treasure trove of other essentials. For comparison, this Stanley 38-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Set is the same price with half the amount of tools.

Champion Sportswear

I love nothing more than breaking a nice sweat during a full-speed job, but I can't say I’ve ever understood the big difference between high-end sportswear and budget brands like Champion. Call me basic, but if you're a non-professional athlete, it seems to me that all workout apparel serves the same purpose. Brands that reach the pinnacle of cool, as determined by marketing clout, can jack up their prices without losing customers.

For example, these Champion Men's 10" X-Temp Vapor Training Shorts are $15, while these Nike Workout Shorts are $25. Can you tell the difference? The same rule applies for tees, tanks, joggers, etc. You’re essentially paying for an cooler logo.We advise looking to Champion for dependable workout clothes at the lowest prices of all the big name brands.

Expensive HDMI Cables (are a LIE!)

Audiophiles the world over can relate to the bizarre pricing on HDMI cables. As far as I can tell, there is no product on the planet with a wider price range in items that serve the same purpose, no matter the design. When I asked Brad's Deals' resident tech expert Michael Ahene what the difference was between a $10 HDMI cable and a $100 HDMI cable, he said, “Nothing. Nothing at all. Standard HDMI cables are all the same regardless of the price of gold-plated marketing language.”

In an interview with Digital Trends, Jeff Park of HDMI Licensing LCC noted, “In terms of picture quality there’s no difference. Whether you have a $100 cable or a $5 cable, if they meet the same specification requirements there should be no difference. From a technical point of view they are exactly the same.” CNET also recently cleared the air in one bluntly titled article, “Why All HDMI Cables are the Same.”

Dorco Razors

Here at Brad’s Deals, we share a lot of razor and shave kit deals that are awesome. However, Dorco takes the cake for offering a steady stream of exclusives at prices so low they’ll make your head spin. We've seen this Dorco Pace 7-Blade Razor Set go for as little as $3 shipped, though it's full price of $7.95 is still the lowest we could find online for a seven-blade razor with two refill cartridges. Take a look at our Dorco deals and you’ll ask yourself why you ever paid more than $10 for a razor refill.

Skip Tide Detergent (your wallet will thank you)

Why diss Tide, you ask? We would never! Tide is the leading brand for a reason. Their detergent is dependable and their commercials with The Gronk are second to none.But in 2013, Consumer Reports challenged Tide’s place at the top of the mountain, and ended up rating Wisk Deep Clean the highest, a brand which is cheaper than Tide Ultra. (Another win for Kirkland showed up on this list as well, Kirkland Signature Detergent placed in the top five!)

Also of note, Arm & Hammer Detergent is generally cheaper than Tide and for three years running has been Amazon’s best-selling detergent. It receives nearly perfect reviews at Amazon and Target, so the next time you’re in the grocery aisle, it might just pay to skip the Tide for one of these three competing brands.

Garmin Fitness Trackers

Fitbit is one of the most popular activity tracking brands on the market, but what are you actually paying for? Fitbit trackers serve essentially the same purpose as all the other trackers out there. They record your daily steps, calories burned, heart rate, sleep, distance traveled and stairs climbed AND they connect to your smartphone. Using a fitness tracker can get you closer to understanding your health and progress than ever before. Is opting for the budget brand worth your while? Signs point to yes!

Fitness enthusiast and Brad's Deals editor Candace Massari, who has tried both the Garmin and the Fitbit, said, “Garmin’s battery lasts longer and it is waterproof. Only new models of Fitbits are waterproof,” she said. “I’ve gone through two Fitbits, and my friend has a Garmin and is able to swim in the ocean. I need to get one.”

Further evidence lies in the reviews. This Garmin vivofit 3 Fitness Band is $60 at Beach Camera, while this Fitbit Charge 2 is $120, twice as much, at Macy's. Ninety-three percent of Garmin vivofit buyers would recommend it to a friend, while only 89 percent of Fitbit Charge 2 users would do the same with their tracker.

Which budget brands are always at the top of YOUR shopping lists? Let us know in the comments!

Vegas, baby! Sin City is a year-round destination for gamblers, convention attendees, bachelor parties and families who want to spend a few days relaxing in one of the 62,000 hotel rooms that line the city's infamous Strip. Luckily for would-be vacationers, all this demand means that Vegas is home to lots of amazing deals.

I went to college in California and graduate school in Arizona, so over the years, I've taken my fair share of weekend Vegas trips on a student's budget. You don't have to gamble away your home to get a free room, here are my tips for saving money in Las Vegas!

How to Get There

You have two choices: fly or drive. The closest Amtrak station is in Kingman, Arizona, and you'll have to take an additional three hour and 20-minute bus ride from the train to finally make it into Vegas. If you're within about a five-hour drive from Las Vegas (think Los Angeles, San Diego, or Phoenix) and you have a big group you can cram into your car, driving is the most economical option. If you drive, you can bring your own provisions which will save you big time on the overpriced liquor that's sold at stores near the Strip. Of course, driving takes a lot more effort than flying, and the threat of traffic always looms over your trip home (and your hangover).

However, keep in mind that in 2016, MGM Resorts added parking fees from $8-$10 per day for non-elites. Caesars Resorts followed suit in 2017. If you're looking to avoid parking fees, stay at the SLS Las Vegas, the Venetian/Palazzo, or off-Strip.

For flights, I recommend a few options. Southwest Vacations often has great deals on Las Vegas, and those include flight and hotels. JetBlue Getaways are a similar story, especially when JetBlue is running a fare sale. Flights from West Coast cities to Las Vegas get discounted most frequently. If you'd rather book just a flight, Southwest and JetBlue are still great options, especially if you can catch them on a sale day, which happens several times a year. Finally, Spirit and Frontier, both ultra-low budget carriers (think paid carry-on and no free drinks), both fly frequently to Las Vegas, and often for less than $50 round-trip.

If budget airlines aren't your thing, you can fly over 30 other airlines direct to Las Vegas. If you have some miles to redeem, Delta, United, and American fly direct to Las Vegas from their major hubs. Most domestic carriers require 25,000 miles for a domestic award ticket, so 50,000 miles will get a couple to Las Vegas for a romantic weekend away. You can get 40,000 United miles with the Chase United MileagePlus Card, which could get you close to all the miles required quickly.

Another option is to use British Airways miles. Since both British Airways and American Airlines are in the oneworld alliance together, you can redeem British Airways miles on American Airlines flights. The advantage here is that British Airways does not price award flight by region, but rather, by distance. This means that if you live less than 2,000 miles away from Las Vegas, you will be paying 7,500 miles each way on an American flight using British Airways miles. In 2016, American actually matched their chart with this short distance opportunity, and you can use MileCalc.com to see how long an itinerary would be. Just type in the airport codes of your journey, and a one-way and round-trip distance will appear.

Where to Find Hotel Deals

This is my favorite subject of all. Since most of my Las Vegas trips have been one or two-night excursions, I've developed a few tools that I like to use to find the cheapest room possible. There are several ways to do this: blind-buy websites, points, and directly with the hotel.

Blind-buy websites:

There are two major websites in this category: Hotwire and Priceline. They each operate a bit differently, but the principles are the same: pay less for a hotel's excess capacity in exchange for not knowing what the name of the hotel is when you book. You'll still get a hotel in the area of town that you want, but you may not get the exact view or bed selection you'd prefer.

This might freak out the hardcore planners in your group a bit. Why would you ever leave those things to chance, especially on vacation? You actually don't have to!

There are online tools that let you hack the system and see EXACTLY which hotel you're bidding on. BetterBidding.com is an online forum that allows people to post which hotel they received when they bought blind through Hotwire or Priceline. Search by city, then through the forum for hotels that match the description the blind bidding site is giving you for your potential hotel. I've used this tool with supreme accuracy in Las Vegas, because so many of the Strip hotels are easy to guess.

For example, you're able to choose between North Strip, Mid-Strip, and South Strip hotels in your search on Hotwire. As room rates start low in Vegas, I like to choose a 5-star hotel when I visit. When looking at some of the attributes of your particular hotel, pay close attention. If there's no casino mentioned, it's easy to narrow down, because there aren't many hotels in Vegas without one. You're probably booking at the Vdara (next to the Aria) or the Trump (technically off-strip, but a short walk through the Fashion Show Mall to the Wynn). You can pick up on more tricks like that at BetterBidding, so if this is an option you're thinking about for your Vegas trip, check them out.

Using points:

It used to be that the only way to get a free room in Vegas was to spend way too much money at a casino, and have the staff reward you with a free night for your trouble. But these days, comps (as this practice is called) are few and far between unless you're a heavy gambler, and those systems favor the slot machines, which have worse odds than the gaming tables like blackjack. We won't be focusing on the points-earning aspect of any of those programs, but we will show you how to get status with them without gambling a dime!

As recently as two years ago, finding a Vegas hotel that partnered with a loyalty program was difficult. When I was in college, the only options were the Planet Hollywood, which was partnered with SPG, and the Las Vegas Hilton, which was so far north on the Strip it wasn't worth looking at. But today, several of the major hotel loyalty programs have joined forces with casino companies to offer reciprocal benefits, and most importantly, points redemption options.

Hyatt was the first to do so about a year ago when they partnered with MGM Resorts, which owns nearly every hotel on the southern end of the Strip (Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Aria, Bellagio), as well as some on the north end like the Mirage and Circus Circus. Basically, you'll receive reciprocal status within MGM's "mLife" loyalty program if you have status in Hyatt's "World of Hyatt" program. Complete details are here, but we'll touch on a few key benefits of this partnership. For one, you'll be able to redeem Hyatt points at most of MGM's resorts (including the Bellagio and Aria). You can redeem 12,000 Hyatt points for the Luxor on the low end, or 25,000 points on the high end for the Mandalay Bay or the Bellagio.

Furthermore, if you have Explorist Status with Hyatt (which is what you get automatically just for holding the Chase Hyatt Credit Card), Pearl mLife status and points/elite credit for your stay. If you're a regular Hyatt customer with top-tier Globalist status, you'll be granted even more benefits, like bonus mLife status points and more.

Starwood used to be difficult because they have only three branded hotels in the Las Vegas, and only one near the strip. The Westin Las Vegas is located a few blocks off the Strip, but isn't anything special like the mega-hotels close by. Plus, as a Category 5 Starwood property, it will cost you between 12,000 and 16,000 points, depending on the season. With the reasonable rates available at other hotels on the Strip, I don't see much value in redeeming for this property (though it could offer reasonable rates itself). Recently, Starwood opened the W Las Vegas in one of the towers of the nearly new SLS Las Vegas.

Hilton has only one option on the Strip: the Tropicana, which will cost you 35,000 Hilton HHonors points per night to redeem (Hilton points are easier to earn, hence the higher redemption rates). The Elara (formerly the Planet Hollywood timeshares), is also available, but is not often a great redemption value for Las Vegas (same goes for the Flamingo Timeshare Properties).

Marriott has one of the best hotels on the strip in its portfolio: The Cosmopolitan. At 45,000 points a night, it is expensive, but you do have prime Strip location and one of the most popular hotels in the city. And, the new Chase Marriott credit card's spending bonus of 100,000 points will pay for two nights at the property! With Marriott and Starwood now one company, you can transfer points between the programs and match elite statuses. It is not yet known how 2017 will affect properties in Las Vegas with respect to the newly combined company.

Direct-booking hotel rates:

As Vegas has so many hotel rooms, room rates at the resorts on the Strip are often reasonable enough not to use points on. I've occasionally seen rates as low as $99 at the Wynn in the off-season, so it's best to check all of the options in this post before booking a hotel.

But how do I stay for free?

Well, if you're already playing the points and miles game, redeem your points on a number of properties mentioned above. If you haven't, consider a credit card with transferable points. The Sapphire Preferred card offers 50,000 points right now, which can be transferred to Hyatt, United, Southwest, Marriott, and more. If you're spending a short weekend in Vegas, this sign up bonus alone will cover your vacation.

Or, you can always do it the tried-and-true way: bet big on Hard Six on the craps table and get a comped suite from the pit boss. Sometimes, that doesn't work so well, though ...

Good luck!

]]>http://www.bradsdeals.com/blog/2018/02/07/spend-a-weekend-in-vegas-for-free/How to Get Your Tax Refund Faster – and When You Can Expect It to Arrivehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BradsDealsBlog/~3/Z0Vc5Sd-Ixc/
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If you've got big plans for your tax refund, well, so do we! Here's everything you need to know about the fastest way to get your money back from the government.

How to get your tax refund faster

Fastest: E-file your tax forms and request a direct deposit.

Not as fast: E-file, but request a paper check that must be printed and mailed. Slows your tax refund down by approximately one week.

Also not as fast: File by mail, but request a direct deposit. Slows your tax refund down by approximately one week.

Slowest: File by mail, request a paper check that must be printed and mailed. Your refund will arrive approximately two weeks later than if you had opted to e-file with direct deposit.

Basically, our advice for the fastest tax refund is to submit your tax returns online through a trusted service like TurboTax Online and request a direct deposit to your bank account. It costs a little more than DIY paper tax forms, but TurboTax also will walk you through credits and deductions you might have missed. If you don't have cash on hand, no worries – you can opt to have the fee automatically deducted from your return. The peace of mind for more complex returns and speedy refund make it worthwhile.

Things that slow your tax return down

Paper anything.Filing paper forms by mail? That's going to take longer since the forms have to travel first, then must be scanned into IRS databases, all of which takes time. Want a paper check? That check must be printed and mailed – and that's another speed bump. Mailing your forms and asking for a paper check each put roughly an extra 7 days between you and your tax refund. That's an extra 14 days if you're dealing with both. In the digital age, a good rule of thumb is that when paper is involved, it tends to slow the whole process down.

Claiming certain tax credits.
If you're claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), the IRS is required by law to hold your refund until mid-February, meaning that 2/27 is the earliest date anyone claiming either of these tax credits can expect to see their refund arrive.

Errors and incomplete forms.
Take the time to dot your i's and cross your t's when completing your tax returns. Avoidable mistakes like missed fields and typographical errors can lead to significant delays. The IRS may even send it back to you for revisions.

Identity theft activity.If the IRS knows that you've been affected by identify theft or fraud, whether now in the past, they may flag your return for some extra scrutiny. As frustrating as the delay may be, it's good to remember that this is a safety measure wherein the IRS is making sure that your tax refund is going to the right person – you vs. a criminal filing in your name.

When will my tax refund arrive?

We've built this calendar of estimated arrival dates for tax refunds based on when you filed your returns. Add 7 days to the ETA if you filed by mail or opted for a paper check, and add 14 if you did both.

Important Disclaimer: The dates shows here are estimates based on IRS Tax Refund Frequently Asked Questions. Those filing nearer the beginning of this calendar may be treated to earlier-than-expected arrivals; for those who wait, delays are possible for a number of reasons beyond IRS control – a high volume of submissions to process and government shutdowns come to mind as real possibilities.

Submitted on:

Direct Deposit ETA:

1/29/18 - 2/4/18

2/19/18 - 2/25/18

2/5/18 - 2/11/18

2/26/18 - 3/4/18

2/12/18 - 2/18/18

3/5/18 - 3/11/18

2/19/18 - 2/25/18

3/12/18 - 3/18/18

2/26/18 - 3/4/18

3/19/18 - 3/25/18

3/5/18 - 3/11/18

3/26/18 - 4/1/18

3/12/18 - 3/18/18

4/2/18 - 4/8/18

3/19/18 - 3/25/18

4/9/18 - 4/15/18

3/26/18 - 4/1/18

4/16/18 - 4/22/18

4/2/18 - 4/8/18

4/23/18 - 4/29/18

4/9/18 - 4/15/18

4/30/18 - 5/6/18

4/16/18 - 4/17/18

5/7/18 - 5/8/18

How will you spend your tax refund in 2018? Tell us in the comments below.